Jays' Happ aims for All-Star break return

Pitcher hit by line drive last month

J.A. Happ, the pitcher who was hit above his left ear by a viscious line drive last month, is working out at Toronto's spring-training complex in Florida and hopes to return to the Blue Jays sometime around the All-Star break.

Happ, a 30-year-old left-hander, suffered a fractured skull, contusions to the ear that needed eight stitches and sprained knee ligaments as the result of a wicked shot hit back to the mound by Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings on May 7.

"I'm coming along and threw off a mound without a (knee) brace the other day and hope to do so tomorrow," Happ told ESPN. "I was in a brace for several weeks and am now moving, jogging and regaining athleticism. I began running again three or four days ago and I'm not quite there yet as far as cutting or turning."

Happ remains on the 60-day disabled list until July 7. When he went down with his injuries, Happ had a 2-2 record with a 4.91 ERA in seven starts.